Chapter 30
Zero Gravity
Luna looked up at the sound of the creaking hospital door and her worried gaze disappeared, only to be replaced by a furious one as she stormed towards the woman. “What the f.ck were you thinking when you shot him!” Luna pushed against her but the latter didn’t retaliate and merely fixed her gaze on the man lying unconscious on the hospital bed. “He could’ve died!”
“I’m sorry.” The sharp sound of the slap across her cheek was louder than her weak apology and she looked back to the pint sized woman only to receive another slap. “You shouldn’t apologize to me. It’s Joon that deserves it.” Luna’s eyes flickered over her shoulder at the sound of chatter outside the door.
“You’re quick.” Kibum stated dryly upon stepping into the room, followed by the man whose presence seemed like the only thing that is able to comfort Amber. “I had to inform Henry. It’s his uncle anyways.” He explained, his eyebrows furrowed together when he noticed her flaming cheek with a hand imprint and turned to Luna.
“Did you slap her?” Amber held him back when he took a step towards the woman who had turned his back against them and proceeded to sit in the chair by the bed. “I did.” Her two words further infuriated Kibum and he tore Amber’s hands away from him. Henry guided her to his side and he looked down as her hand reached for him and gripped his tightly.
“You are blind.” Kibum hissed. He stared at Joon with eyes full of hatred and clenched his teeth together. “After everything that I’ve told you, you’re still by his side.” He shook his head and his voice wavered slightly at the anger he was holding back. “You’re hopeless.” He turned around and left the room without a word.
Henry tugged at her hand to call upon her attention and she followed him out of the room after a last glance at Joon. “I went to see him.” He said. It took Amber a while to realized who he was referring to and forced a smile on her face. “How is Matsuka?”
“He’ll live.” She almost chuckled at his vagueness before she remembered about the man in the room who might not have lived if help didn’t arrive on time. “And Joon will too.” She stepped into his waiting arms and he embraced her tightly, burying his nose in her silky hair. “It’s not your fault. I would have done that too, if I were in your shoes.” He paused. “I guess.”
Amber laughed a little too loud and pressed her nose against his neck, hugging him closer to her. “Since when are you an advocate of what I do?”
“You know what I mean.” Henry whispered into her ear and she sighed in response. “Oh, I almost forgot. He wanted to see you.”
~~
“How is Joon?” Matsuka’s breathing was laborious and she noticed his action when he tried to look behind her. “Henry’s waiting in the hallway.” He turned to her and smiled knowingly. “Do you think he’ll ever acknowledge me as his uncle?”
“He just needs some time to accept it.” Amber replied automatically and pulled up a chair close to him. “Can I trust you for an honest answer?” He asked. They shared a gaze and she broke the silence with the truth that he wasn’t happy to hear. “He doesn’t accept that he has an uncle.”
“Ahh.” Matsuka looked in the direction of the hallway and nodded slowly and offered a small smile to her. “I guess not knowing the truth is a lot more comforting.”
“Henry said you wanted to see me?”
“Yes. It’s about that police officer.” Amber stood frozen to her spot at the sensitive topic. “What about Nichkhun?”
“I wanted to say that you’ve exceeded my expectations, not that you’ve never done so before but I had my reservations initially. I’m glad that my second thoughts were put to rest.” Matsuka beamed at her proudly, which left her even more confused. “I don’t understand, sir.”
“You don’t have to play coy with me, Amber. There’s no one here to judge you.”
“I heard Nichkhun was found dead in Chinatown’s vicinity.” Amber dropped in shock from the news. “I’m sure you took care of him because of the promise you made.” She felt uneasy and there was a gagging feeling at the back of . She swallowed audibly to keep the feeling down. “I’ve done nothing, sir. I didn’t kill--” She couldn’t say his name without gagging and reached for the base of her neck.
“Provide Victoria with any assistance that she’d require and let her know that she’s welcomed to return to us anytime.” His extend of assistance made her sick. Matsuka’s rationalization was twisted.
“Sir, I swear that his death has nothing to do with me.” Amber emphasized and she shut her eyes tightly when her vision began to blur. “I’ll treat that this promise hadn’t happened if that makes you feel any better. I know that you’re close with Victoria.” She opened her eyes and regretted it because the world around her was spinning. “Amber, are you okay?”
“Amber?” Her vision darkened and she slipped into unconsciousness.
~~
“Hey.” She was at somewhere warm that’s filled with his scent and it felt so comforting. She snuggled deeper into the warmth and wrinkled her forehead at the constant shaking of her body. “Wake up. Amber.” His voice penetrated her darkness and her eyes fluttered open, only to close them and squint at the brightness.
“She’s awake.” She heard the rumble of his voice at her ear and squirmed to find herself in his arms, on the couch in Matsuka’s room. “She needs some rest. I’m bringing her home.” Henry informed Matsuka curtly and left the room with Amber in his arms, not wanting to spend any minute longer with the older man.
~~
“No, I don’t want to rest.” Amber whined and he forced her under the covers and sat by the edge of his bed, holding her shoulders down. “You’re clearly not fine. Listen to me. Take a short nap.”
“I said I don’t want to!” She pushed him over the side and he fell onto the ground. “Why is no one listening to what I have to say? You’re the same as your uncle.”
“I don’t have an uncle.” Henry muttered under his breath, his face expressionless as he climbed under the covers with her. “Now, shush. I don’t want to hear a single word from you.” The room felt silent and as her anger slowly dissipated, she couldn’t help but feel slightly anxious at Henry’s silent treatment. He was lying next to her but he hadn’t said a word and she was absolutely sure that he wasn’t asleep.
“Nichkhun is dead.”
Henry turned to her in an instant and found her staring at him intently on her side. “What?” The word escaped his lips in a whisper. Victoria’s husband, his mouth open and close in an attempt to say something but nothing came out.
“That’s why Matsuka wanted to meet me.” Amber was shocked and terrified when he jumped out of bed. It wasn’t his actions that alarmed her but rather the look he was giving her - a mixture of disgust and disbelief. Then it struck her the reason for his actions. “I didn’t kill him!” She exclaimed.
“Then why did he want to talk to you about it?” Henry asked. He saw the look of reluctance on her face and realized that she was hiding something.
“I made a promise to Matsuka. It was a while back when we first knew Nichkhun was growing suspicious of Matsuka’s operations.” She took a deep breath and continued. “Matsuka wanted him dead but I managed to buy Nichkhun time. Matsuka wanted a form of security and I gave him that - I would personally handle the issue about Nichkhun.”
“In other words, you agree to kill him if he stepped out of line again.” Henry said blankly.
“Yes. But I didn’t kill him.” Amber reached across the bed and dangled her legs off the side. “Please believe me.” He exhaled audibly and sat beside her. “If you didn’t, who did?”
“I don’t know. Matsuka is determined that I’m the one and thinks my denying of it is because of my relationship with Victoria.” A sudden chill ran through her body and she did an involuntary shudder. “The disturbing thing is, Matsuka told me to offer assistance to unni if she requires it and to let her know she’s always welcome back to the team.”
“Do you see why I will never acknowledge that I have an uncle?” Henry transferred her hand onto his lap and held them in his grasp. “This is not only way to show your gratitude to him for sparing your life.” He traced the faint scar on the back of her hand. “There is no benefit for you to stay any longer.”
“We had this conversation.” She sighed. “I’ve told you.”
“No, you haven’t. Yes, we’ve discussed about your role and the reason you’ve stayed behind with Matsuka but not the future.”
“Henry, this is not the right time for this.” She pulled her hand from his grasp.
“Then when is it the right time?”
“I’m not discussing this right now. Nichkhun is dead.” Her eyes followed after him as he made his way to the door. “I’m heading down to Busan soon for his funeral. Are you coming with me?” Henry left the room without answering her. “I guess you’re not.”
However, that wasn’t the case when she prepared to leave that evening. She was pleasantly surprised when he entered the car and put on the safety belt without saying a word.
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The funeral parlour was crowded with friends and relatives of the deceased and his widowed wife personally attended to each person, thanking them for their presence.
A tired smile was plastered on her face as she greeted the guests who were familiar faces from the wedding a few weeks ago. She glanced to her side where her husband should have been and merely stared at the empty space. She looked away when a soft voice called for her attention and pulled her into a hug.
She tightened her arms around the girl and squeezed her eyes, hoping to prevent the tears from escaping.
“Unni, let it out.” Sulli rubbed the older woman’s trembling shoulders while her sister embraced them from the side, whispering into her ear. “Yeah, unni. We’re here.”
Victoria let out a low wail, garnering sympathetic glances from the guests and her family stood closer to give her privacy. Her only family. She fell to her knees when she was no longer able to support herself.
“Unni.” However, that voice made her tears stopped and ignited something in her as she looked in the direction of owner of the voice. “Leave.”
Amber was surprised at her cold response to her and stepped forward to help her up but the older woman pushed her away, drawing anxious glances from the others. “Unni?”
“I said leave.” Victoria turned to the man next to her. “Henry, get her out of my sight.” She left the group with an intimidating glare directed at Amber and none of them made a move to stop the latter when she went after her. “Unni, what’s wrong? Did I do something?” Amber caught her arm but Victoria pulled it out of her grasp and slapped her across the cheek.
People in the vicinity stopped in midst of their conversations and focused their attention at the scene unfolding before them.
“What did you do?” Amber found a livid Victoria glaring at her with a look of disgust. “How dare you come here after what you’ve done!”
“I don’t understand.” Amber whispered.
“I thought I could trust you.” Victoria said faintly. “You can trust me.” Amber grasped her hands firmly when the older woman tried shrugging her away. “Unni.”
“I can trust you? You killed him.” Her eyes widened at her accusation and she loosened her grip as silence fell upon the room. “You killed my husband!” Victoria cried.
“I didn’t.. unni.. I..” Amber shook her head in bewilderment. “You’re the reason he’s dead!”
“Stop it.” Kibum said sternly, appearing next to the women who were suddenly the center of the room’s attention as hush whispers went around the room. “This is not the right place to talk.” He guided them through the crowd while smiling apologetically. “Please excuse us.”
“Unni, there must be a misunderstanding.” Krystal embraced her and rubbed her back to sooth Victoria. “The lack of sleep is causing irrational thoughts.”
“There is no misunderstanding.” Victoria glared at the woman who had entered the room behind her. “You have no idea what is happening.” She said icily.
“There are things that Amber hasn’t told you about.” Victoria shoved Kibum out of her way when he tried to intervene again. “Tell them or should I do it?”
“Unni, I swear I didn—” Amber tried to defend herself but she wasn’t given the chance when Victoria threw her hand across her cheek again. “Then who did? There isn’t any other reason that Nichkhun..” Victoria turned her back towards her and looked up at the ceiling, blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay.
“Do you know why I could marry Nichkhun, and Matsuka didn’t pursue it even though he knew he was a police officer?” Her question left the twins even more confused as they struggled to grasp the situation. “She,” Victoria pointed in Amber’s direction without looking at her. “Told Matsuka that she’ll kill Nichkhun herself if he pursues Matsuka’s matters again.”
“What do you mean ‘again’?” Sulli asked. “He was already suspicious of Yunho.”
“Did you really kill him?” Krystal turned to Amber, her voice grew accusing with each word. “Unni, did you? What did he do that you had to kill him?”
Amber glanced at Kibum who shook his head discreetly, asking her to leave this issue for him. “How can you accuse her of this?” He said in her defense.
“Nichkhun was investigating an old case about an employee that Matsuka got rid of fourteen years ago. But I demanded Yunho to keep this information to himself, and I didn’t report to Matsuka about it.” Amber stepped into her view and pleaded to Victoria. “I didn’t kill him.”
Victoria headed into the next room without much of a glance and the door closed behind her with a loud bang. Amber made a move towards it but Kibum stopped her. “Leave nuna to me. I’ll let you know if there’s anything.”
“Nuna, this is ridiculous.” Kibum said upon entering the room with Krystal and Sulli following behind closely. “You’re accusing Amber of something that she would never do.”
“Then answer me; can you confidently say that his death is merely accidental?” Victoria’s anger wasn’t simmering down anytime soon and he knows it, but he has to talk some sense to her or this misunderstanding will bring no good to either party. “Is it a coincidence that his death was around the time when he was found to be a threat to Matsuka?”
“Nuna—“
“Answer me.” Victoria snapped. All eyes in the room turned to him expectantly and he pursed his lips, unable to form a reply. “I thought so too.”
“What about you, nuna? What made you adamant that Amber is responsible for Nichkhun’s death?” Kibum retorted, clearly annoyed with her behavior.
“Joon called earlier to apologize that he was unable to pay his respects.” Kibum stiffened upon hearing the name of the man that he despised most. “He said Amber acted weirdly and never disclosed her whereabouts the night of NIchkhun’s suspected death. He told me that Amber wasn’t being truthful to either of us and asked me to be careful.”
“So you believe the bastard’s words over the woman who you had known longer than him? Joon is the suspect here! H—“
“That doesn’t explain his involvement with Nichkhun’s death! Joon has nothing against him. He has no reason to lie to me.” Victoria dropped her head into her hands and the tension filled room was punctured with her sobs. “Nuna.”
“Leave!” Victoria cried. Sulli and Krystal shook their heads and beckoned him to the door. They were unsmiling and huddled around Victoria, hugging her defensively as they eyed him. “You guys don’t actually believe that Amber would do such a thing?”
“I don’t know oppa, she kept the fact that she’d kill Nichkhun from us.” Sulli said, her eyes studying him. “And I don’t know whether we could trust you either.” Krystal refused to look at him when he turned to her for help.
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“Sungjae, what’s the matter?” Sulli closed the door behind her and walked into the garden of Victoria’s home. She was surprised to find half a dozen of missed calls from him and she could only answer them once Victoria was asleep. “Chan Wing-Yan is dead.”
“What?” She frowned at the sudden news. “It’s suspected that a e poisoned him. Since his death, there have been endless territorial wars among the clan members. Not only that, a couple of them are now in police custody, facing possible charges of drug peddling and illegal gambling.”
“What should our next step be? I tried contacting Amber-shi but she isn’t answering my calls.”
“Have you run this through Matsuka?” She asked. “No, I thought Amber should be the one.”
“It’s alright. I’ll let her know. If not, I’ll inform Matsuka myself.” She looked up at the setting sky and closed her eyes, feeling the cold spring breeze on her face. “Is there anything else?”
“Um.. How are you?” Her eyes snapped open at his sudden question and she felt the blood flow to her cheeks as she thought of an answer. “What do you mean?”
“It’s just.. I mean.. you must have known Victoria-sunbaenim’s husband..”
“Ahh. I don’t know him that well so I’m not as affected as unni. If that’s what you mean.” Sulli bit her bottom lip. “Yeah. I thought I’d call to ask about you too since he must’ve have an influence on you. I hope I’m not intruding in your personal life. I mean, I was just worried about you. You know, as frien— as colleagues!”
“I’m doing fine.” She held back a chuckle at his obvious attempt to sound nonchalant. “I’ll see you when I returned to Seoul.”
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“You ing bastard!” The couple turned to the man who stormed into the hospital room, followed by a nurse who was struggling to keep hold on him. “You’re creating a racket in the hospital! Leave now before I call security.” The man merely tore her off his arm and threw her outside the room, locking the door behind him amid the pounding resonating from the other side.
“Hello, Kibum. I didn’t expect you to visit me in.. such a way.” His smirk enraged Kibum and the latter pulled him off the bed and threw a punch at him. “Stop this!” Luna tugged him away the injured man and Kibum struggled against her grip. He broke free and his next action surprised her more than anyone else.
“Stay out of this.” He said through gritted teeth while she held onto her smarting cheek. She couldn’t believe that he had slapped her. Luna watched silently from the side and grew anxious of the Kibum that was standing in front of her.
“You’re Lee Changsun, aren’t you?” Joon looked up at him and chuckled as he pushed himself into a sitting position. “You think you’re a smart.” Joon nodded his head in agreement and glanced over the door where a commotion was forming behind it. “I’ll give you credit for that.”
“You’re right.” Joon got to his feet and tilted his head at Kibum, looking at him blankly. “I’m Lee Changsun. What are you gonna do about it?” In an instant, Joon was writhing on the ground while holding onto his stomach, where Kibum had kneed him. Without any care, Kibum proceeded to kick him with all his might.
“You’re beginning with your revenge streak by crumbling the foundation that Matsuka stands on, aren’t you? Nichkhun’s death is merely a pawn in your game!” Kibum stomp on his wound when Joon began to laugh maniacally even though he was hurting.
“Kibum! You’re hurting him!” Luna shouted upon noticing the blood seeping through Joon’s hospital gown. “Kibum, stop it!” She pushed him away and covered her body over Joon, preventing Kibum from doing any more damage, just as the hospital security managed to unlock the door to the room.
One of the nurses hurried away to find a doctor while the hospital security approached Kibum when he attempted to hurt Joon again following the latter’s taunting. “By the way, did I remind you that there’s no evidence to your claims?” Kibum shrugged their hands off him and left the room.
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“Okay. I’ll talk to him. How’s— Hello, Sulli?”
Henry watched her end the call and pulled up by the side of the road. “Is everything alright?” He patted her hand to get her attention. “Give me a minute.” She unbuckled her seatbelt and left him sitting in the car.
“What’s the matter?” He appeared next to her and rested his arms on the bridge’s guard rail, looking at the river below them. She didn’t reply him. “Fine, we’ll stay here until you’re ready to leave.” He took her silence as an agreement and didn’t pursue further.
Henry stared into the setting sun and lost himself in his thoughts. His mind transported him back to afternoon when they were at Nichkhun’s funeral. He couldn’t blame Victoria for her suspicion towards Amber; Nichkhun’s death coincides eerily with the fact that he was found digging up on the fourteen year old case.
“You never said you believed me when I said I didn’t kill him.” This time it was his turn to remain silent. “How do you want me to prove that I didn’t do it?”
“Right now it doesn’t matter whether there’s evidence that you did it or not. What Victoria is more concerned about is the fact that you’ve promised to kill Nichkhun.” Henry explained calmly. “It’s the thought itself that you’re willing or bound to do it makes her feel like you’ve betrayed her.”
“Put yourself in her shoes. If I died and you knew that Victoria is somehow linked to my death, you’d react the same way as she did.” Amber stared at her shoes and pulled her jacket tighter around her body. “It’s up to her to decide what she wants to believe or not believe. There’s no point in approaching her if she has her mind already set upon it.”
“You still haven’t answered me.” Amber muttered.
“I have my doubts.” Henry answered truthfully. “I’d be lying to you if I’d said yes. Everyone has their reservations; it just depends on the degree of it.” He stepped closer to her and wrapped his arms around her discouraged frame. “Do you understand? You cannot please everyone.”
“I’m tired of this.” He noticed the difference in her voice as she struggled to push her emotions back down to the depths. “I’m tired of having to be on constant alert. I’m tired of having to worry about the safety of people that I care for.” She was losing control of her restraint at each passing word.
“People see me as a strong, independent woman who is built of steel that is not affected by anything.” Her voice cracked and she took a moment to calm herself. “But I can’t afford to put up with that façade any longer. There is only so much that I can handle.”
“You said that I should think from Victoria’s perspective but what about mine?” Amber pushed against him but it only made him tightened his grip around her. “No one thinks from my perspective! If I had a choice, I wouldn’t have use Nichkhun’s life as a leverage.” She willed herself to hold the tears back. It was a hard battle against the conflicting emotions, instead of submitting to the urge of breaking down.
“If that’s the case, will you promise me that you’re gonna put your future into serious consideration?” Henry muttered into her ear as he held her close. “Like you said the last time, a lot of things could go wrong. Don’t let that get to us. Quitting what you’re doing right now is a step to believing in your future.”
He held her at arm’s length and tilted her chin up so that they could look at each other. “Will you do it?” Amber’s eyes flickered to his raised pinkie and gently wrapped her pinkie around his.
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Kibum rung the bell and waited patiently for someone to come to the door. He had resumed his research and managed the find the police officer who was in charge of Lee Choisik’s case.
He raised his hand to ring the doorbell again when the door opened to reveal a middle aged woman. He bowed at her and introduced himself as a private investigator that was recommended to use her husband’s help.
“I supposed you’ve not been informed.” Kibum raised his eyebrows at the woman’s statement. “My husband passed away a month ago while on duty.” This piece of information surprised him and he apologized for the intrusion. “It’s alright. Please come in. You mentioned that you needed Daeho’s help for a case, isn’t it?” He stepped into the small home and closed the door behind him while the woman disappeared into a room. “Let me bring you his work files.”
“I knew that keeping his things will be of use someday.” She appeared again with a box in her hands and Kibum quickly helped her with the load. “You can go through these items. I’ll make some tea for you.” He thanked her for the hospitality and reassured her that he wouldn’t take up her time. “Don’t worry about this old lady.”
Kibum went through the items and found nothing in particular. “Maybe it was just a waste of time to come here.” He returned an unrelated file to the box and picked up a leather journal. He was scanning through the dates when the woman returned. “I forgot to mention. There were envelopes that my husband intended to hand it over to his previous apprentice. Maybe you could talk to him.”
“That would be helpful. May I know his name?”
“Nichkhun.”
Kibum almost dropped the cup of tea that he was drinking. “He’s a nice man, probably around your age.” The woman added.
“I know him.” He muttered, still in a daze. He reached down to pick up the journal that he had accidentally knocked over when he set his cup on the table. It lay open at a page that caught his attention.
Meeting with Lee Changsun. Kibum’s eyes widened at the name written in the journal and scanned the page for the date. “May I know when did your husband pass away?”
“On the twentieth.” Kibum closed the journal with a snap and thanked the woman for her help and quickly left the apartment.
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“Amber, this is much more than I imagined.” Kibum locked the door behind him and headed towards her desk, his voice hushed and urgent. “Do you remember what I told you the other day about Joon?”
“Hyung, you were wrong about him.” Amber sighed. “He didn’t kill Matsuka. He was shot by the assailant.”
“And you believe that instead of me?” He asked incredulously. Kibum grabbed a sheet of paper and drew a bubble with Joon and Donghae’s name in it.
“These two brothers are Lee Changsun and Lee Changjae. Their father is Lee Choisik, who was murdered along with his wife by Matsuka. They changed their identities to Lee Joon and Lee Donghae. Donghae must have planned it all along to infiltrate Matsuka and avenge for his parents’ death.” Amber watched him as he linked the brothers to several bubbles, beginning with Henry.
“They targeted Matsuka with rumours of Henry being his successor because the news is bound to raise hell.” Then, Kibum wrote Nichkhun’s name in the next bubble. “Nichkhun’s death definitely has something to do with Joon. And,” This time he entered an unknown name to the last bubble.
“Hong Daeho. Who is he?” Amber thought hard but the name doesn’t ring a bell. “He’s the police officer that was responsible of the Lee Choisik case, and I just found out that he died a little over a month ago.”
“Okay.” She nodded slowly, still unable to follow him. “And guess what?” Amber watched curiously as he drew a line that connected his bubble to Nichkhun's. “Nichkhun was his disciple. And according to Hong Daeho’s journal, Daeho met Lee Changsun on the same day that he was found dead.”
“Hong Daeho’s wife told me that he had left behind several items to Nichkhun, which I suspect might be confidential.” Kibum drew two new bubbles below Nichkhun and wrote Victoria and her name in it. “Why are we included?”
“Joon is playing at a bigger picture.” Kibum put down the pen and leaned back into his seat. “He’s shaking the foundation that Matsuka is standing on before moving in ultimately on its prey.”
“My best guess is that he’s hoping the discord between you and nuna would affect the organization since he knew of the arrangement between you and Matsuka.” Amber stared at the sheet of paper. She couldn’t believe that this was the work of the man that she had welcomed into the group. He was a playboy, a fool. Hidden under that façade was a scheming, murderous young man?
“The only problem that I can’t figure out is how he knew that Nichkhun was digging deeper into his father’s case.” Kibum jumped to his feet when Amber wore her coat as she made her way to the door. “Where are you going?”
“I’m supposed to be bringing Matsuka home today. We’ll continue this later.” She stopped adjusting the collar of her coat when he took over and she watched him intently as he helped her. “Be safe, okay?” Amber smiled reassuringly and he patted her cheek. “We have a baddie to stop.”
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Amber had a nagging feeling that she was being followed and glanced around as she helped Matsuka back into his home. Once he was settled, she returned to her car and speed dialed him. “Hyung, I’m at Matsuka’s home. Could you look around the cameras for anything suspicious?”
“Give me a second.” Amber scanned the surroundings behind her through the rear view mirror and it was a typical Sunday morning. Parents were bringing their children across to the park and there were a few joggers with their dogs. “Nothing out of the ordinary. Is there something wrong?”
“I’ll call you later.” She pulled into the main road and noticed a black sedan that has been with them since they left the hospital. Amber cut into different lanes in hopes of shaking the car off her tail but it managed to follow her and closed the distance between them.
Amber caught a glimpse of the driver in her rear view mirror and she was aware that he’d noticed her looking too. She steered her car into the emergency lane and stepped out of it, crossing her arms as she watched him do the same, pulling his car to a stop behind hers.
“What is it that you want?” He sauntered up to her in a leisurely pace and grinned. “You’ve not been answering my calls.”
“Are you afraid of looking at me in the eye?” Amber retorted. He held up his hands as if surrendering and took off his shades. “Don’t I look cooler with it on?”
“Why are you following me, Joon?” She ignored his small talk and he pretended to be hurt by her piercing words. “That’s harsh. There’s no ‘how are you feeling’ or ‘are you better now’. I’m well, thanks for asking.” Joon said, unnerved that she wasn’t in joking mood. “Like I said, you didn’t answer my calls.”
“I’m not obliged to.” Amber glared, standing her ground when he took a step closer. “I’m hurt. Is that how you treat a friend?”
“I could ask the same about you too.” She said through gritted teeth. Joon cocked his head to the side, staring at her in an innocuous manner. “What are you talking about?”
“We know what you’ve done. You killed Nichkhun to frame me. You’re Lee Changsun.” They shared an intense stare and she watched his unblinking eyes before he broke away in a sinister laughter. “Well, well, Kibum is a fast fellow, isn’t he?”
“Yes, I’m Lee Changsun. Or was him.” Joon added cheekily. “There’s no point in denying it. And yes, I killed Nichkhun. He was just a pawn in the game.”
“He’s Victoria’s husband!” Amber cried. “He was innocent! He had nothing to do with your vengeance!” Joon caught both of her wrists and held them behind her, causing her to press closer to him. “He played an important role. He contributed to the failing structure that’s holding Matsuka atop.”
“Your schemes will not work. We are stronger than you think.” She spitted into his face and he released her when she stomp on his feet. “Is that so? I spoke to Victoria earlier. She was grateful that I’ve informed her of my suspicion since you were meeting with Yunho frequently during the days leading up to Nichkhun’s death.”
“You liar!” Amber attacked him but he jumped out of the way and chuckled. “I lied for you sake.”
“For my sake?” She scoffed at the absurd remark. “This shows the actual nature of your relationship with your family,” Joon air quoted the last word and looked on pitifully. “If a simple lie is all it takes to sway your relationship, how much do you actually mean to her?”
“I, on the other hand, will always believe in you, no matter what.” Joon returned her strikes with his and tripped her as he swept his leg under her. “Do you still not see how much I love you?” He straddled her and pinned her hands above her head. “You’re f.cking crazy! You call this love?!” Amber head-butted him and shoved him onto his back, punching him repeatedly.
“We will find the information that Hong Daeho left Nichkhun.” Amber got to her feet and kicked him at his sides. “You’ll never find it.” Joon laughed in a delirious manner and wiped the corner of his bloody lips. “I’ve destroyed it. Have you ever wondered the reason for Nichkhun’s sudden interest in my father’s case?”
“I gave it to him.”
“What?” Amber frowned.
“I approached Hong Daeho because he had the information on my father’s case. Even though it was all loose ends, the information was enough to garner attention. It’s a pity that he’s dead. He couldn’t live to see his hard work being fulfilled.” Joon sighed. However, his last words alarmed Amber. “How do you know he’s dead?”
“Because I killed him.” Amber gasped at his confession. “Or else, how would I transfer the information into Nichkhun’s hands?”
“No, you didn’t.” She shook her head in disbelief. Is this the Joon that I know?
“I did. I knew he was close with Nichkhun and I had the information labeled with his name.” Joon approached her and she backed away from him. “Killing Matsuka would just benefit him. I want Matsuka to suffer. And I want you to be at my side while we watch his fall to disgrace.”
“You’re out of your mind!” Amber entered her car and immediately locked its door. “I love you! Why can’t you see that!” Joon pounded against the window. “All I want is the best for you. Amber!” She left him at the emergency lane as she drove away, still in disbelief at what he has become.
“He’s crazy.” Amber muttered and her body was thrown forward from the sudden impact. She looked behind and found him preparing to ram into her car again. She was jerked forward the second time and she stepped down on the gas pedal.
Cars were honking from every direction as they cut in and out of lanes. Amber glanced at her ringing phone and put it on loud speaker as she swerved into the lane that led to an underground tunnel.
“Amber, why didn’t say that he was tailing you? I had to follow you through the traffic cameras to find out.” Kibum’s nagging tone filled the car just as she exited the end of the tunnel. “I wasn’t sure that Joon was following me either! F.ck!” Joon’s car had appeared next to hers and she did her best to steady the wheel while he rammed into her.
“What’s going on? I lost visual of you after you entered the tunnel.” Amber stomp on the breaks just as he swerved into her again and she was right behind him this time. “Joon is pursuing me and I’m trying to shake him off. Hyung, he killed Hong Daeho as well.”
“What?” Amber took a right turn heading up a ramp and he followed behind closely. “I’ll tell you more about it in detail when I mee—“
Kibum sat frozen in his seat as he heard a loud crash, followed by the sound of metal scraping along the surface. “Amber!” He cried out when he heard the screech of tires and another crash, this time louder than the first before the line went dead.
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